My granddaughter gave me a kitschy little figurine who I assume is Hotei, the god of abundance & happiness. He is typical except for one thing. Instead of just holding his hands up, he is holding an object over his head. It looks like an oval bowl or platter, with a dome shaped cover. Almost, but not quite, like a hat. I found lots of pictures of him on the Internet, but none like that. If none of you chinoiserie experts know what it means from my description, I will post a picture, if that will help. He goes with my kumquat tree, if you don't mind. Iris

Hi Iris Besides many other things I figure it home and I do not know what he wants to represent that object, but I and you have a Buddha sitting in the left hand I would be glad if someone would enlighten me.

Chris is right, Many Chinese people celebrate the Chinese New Year by placing golden yuanbao (sycee or gold ingots) in their houses to bring wealth and prosperity...More athttp://mikechujournal.blogspot.com/2010/02/shangri-las-golden-yuanbao-mooncakes.html

Maybe a New Years Display.I also Lifted this from the net, while looking for a answer to your question.

"Hotei is often shown surrounded by a group of small children, romping and squealing in delight around his rotund shape. In addition, he has a reputation for giving gifts. There is a tradition, credited by many, that if a group of strangers gather together on New Year's Eve and ask Hotei for the same gift, provided they have strength of will and truly believe that he will grant it, Hotei will indeed give them what they ask for (Chiba, 22). Another custom is to place a drawing of Hotei, shown in a treasure boat along with the six other Lucky Gods, under one's pillow on the first night of January. The idea is to ensure that one's first dream of the new year will be an auspicious one. Read the whole article here.http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/hotei_by_jennifer_polden.htm

Reading the explanations above figures mean that I have the same character in several iposturi. The first picture, not an expert in this subject, I always thought that is a representation of the Buddha, besides the fact that this figure is that ingots left arm, stands in a sitting position with his back leaning against a larger ingots. Doug, thanks for the explanation.

It's easy to confuse the food gods, the eight immortals and all those other stained red cast resin/marble dust figures, that are bombarding the various Chinese, Indian or other stores world wide.

You may also notice that Avalokiteshvara = Guan Yin [ Quan Yen ] - once a male/female figure of compassion. Notice the Guan Yin has no bosom ?

Have fun.Khaimraj

* I bought a "jade" Quan Yen yesterday, the size of an American quarter. It is really a heated hardstone, heated to accept a turquoise blue dye. I shall place it in sunlight for three months and see if the dye is stable.

If it is, I will add on a gold hoop and chain of 18 to 22k Au. The machined work on the stone is excellent, and the gold with turquoise should be stunning. The work is of greater value than the stone of course.

Real Jade when held up to the light is not multi-fractured from heating to accept a colour - beware.

Historically, depending on how you think, most people need many - elements - to keep their sanity in an ever changing world. See the Romans of old, they had door / hearth and kitchen gods as well.Khaimraj